Wheelbarrow



F. D. VESSEY.

WHEELBARROW.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, I919.

11 ,3272578. Patented J an. 6, 1920.

dill/7 43 Kasey UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK I). VESSEY, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

WHEELBARROW.

Application filed March 10, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK D. VnssnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of li ashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVheelbarrows, of which the following is a specific-ation.

The present invention relates to an improved wheel barrow which is designed and constructed for the special purpose in providing an implement of this nature that may be manipulated to load itself and after being loaded is capable of being quickly brought to position upon its supporting wheel for transportation in the usual manner.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device or implement by which gravel, sand, coal, ore, and other similar materials may be quickly loaded and transported and with equal facility be dumped from the barrow, thus providing a labor and time-saving implement that may be manipulated or handled by one man with efficiency and despatch.

The invention consists essentially in the construction and operation of a lever actuated device by which the barrow is scraped along the surface of the ground to load and by which the barrow body may be elevated from the ground to position where it is supported on its wheel and legs, and incertain novel combinations and arrangements as 'will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention, constructed and arranged according to the best mode so far devised with the practical application of the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is aside elevation of a wheel barrow embodying the novel features of the. present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the bar row in loading position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in plan of the wheel frame and supporting frame of the barrow.

Fig. 4 is a detail of the foot lever and pawl for locking the wheel frame to the main frame of the barrow.

lVhile the present device is designed and applicable to the various uses described above it is especially useful and efficient in connection with mining operations wherein Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

Serial No. 281,707.

the barrow is used in the tunnel of a mine and it is desired to remove the ore or matter that has been broken down from the face of the tunnel. Most tunnels are extremely confined in that they areeXtremely narrow, so narrow that it is impossible to turn a barrow around in them. The usual manner in handling the barrow is to trail it in behind the operator and push the load ahead on the trip to the mouth of the tunnel. The present device is intended specially for such a use.

The body 1 of the barrow which is preferably of metal, is of suitable size and of scraper or scoop-shape with a cutting or scraping edge 2 and is supported on a pair of handle members 3 pivoted on the body '1 at 4 and having secured on the end of said levers leg members 5. On the rear end of the handlemembers 3 are suitable grips 3 by which the implement is manipulated and handled, and these handles may be adjusted and held rigid with the body at various points through the instrumentality of a segment bar, or rather pair of segment bars 6, and the spring pawls or latches 7 are located inv a position convenient and accessible for use by the barrow operator.

The wheel 8 for supporting the barrow is journaled in bearings 9 attached at the under side of the U-frame 10 and this U- frame is pivotally mounted at 10 to the main frame 11. Upon the lever arms 3 is rigidly secured a clamp 12 spaced somewhat from the pivot point at and within which the end of the main frame 11 is pivotally secured at 13. Upon the outer or forward end of the main frame is pivotally mounted a latch member having a foot plate 15. The latch is constructedand positioned to engage with the U-frame 10 carrying the supporting wheel 8 and is provided to release the frame 10 at the proper time to effect the loading operations of the barrow.

As thus far described the barrow is supported at four points, namely, the pivot points 4 and at the adjustable connection surface of the ground unsupported by its wheel or legs. 7

At each side of the body is a leg member of the main frame 11 which becomes a push member while the loading operation is being effected. Upon the outer end of these members is secured a sharpened post 16 provided to be forced into the ground and held in position by contact with the foot of the operator. These push posts are arranged oblique to the surface of the ground as indicated, the operator placing'his foot upon'the foot plate 15 to force these meinbers into the ground, which releases the pawl 14 from contact with the pivoted wheel. frame 10 allowing free movement for this operation. With the barrow flat upon the ground as in Fig. 2 and with the main frame engaging the ground through posts 16 the handle members in an Lip-raised position and with the operator standing at the forward end of the barrow with his foot upon 15, he will cause the barrow to be forced forward and under the load as he draws the handles 3 toward him. The continued movement of these handles will fill the barrow and on each forward movement will reposition the point of contact of the frame 11 for the next forward positioning of the barrow. This step by step movement may be repeated until the proper load is secured and when this is accomplished the handles may be returned to their normal position that is, as shown in Fig. 1 and in the accomplishment of this the barrow body and its load will be lifted from the ground, this being effected through the action of the cam-shaped leg members 5 which are securedv to the lever arms 8.

WVhen the handle members have assumed their normal position for carrying a load the latch 7 will have engaged the segment bars 6 to properly hold the handles in their desired adjustment. The main frame by reason of its pivotal connection at 18 to the handle members will have been raised from off of the ground assisted by the'spring 17, secured to the barrow at 18, and to the pivot connection 10 by which the wheel frame 10 is held to the main frame 11. The latch 1 1 will then have engaged with .the U- frame 10 to hold the barrow in position for transporting the load and the barrow is now capable of being used in the same manner as any of the well known types of barrows.

I claim 1-- The combination with a barrow body and the handles pivoted thereto, and means.

rigidly engaging them with respect to the barrow body, of cam shaped legs secured thereto and provided to bodily raise the barrow body and its load from off the ground,

pivoted means engaging the handles and supporting between them a supporting wheel frame with the wheel mounted thereupon, of posts secured to the end of said pivoted means and engaging with the ground to push the barrow body forward: when the handles are manipulated, and a latch on said pivoted means for releasably engaging the supporting wheel frame to allow contact of the posts with the ground.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK D. VESSEY. 

